Bowie State quarterback suspended by CIAA

October 18, 1991|By From staff reports

Bowie State starting quarterback Jason Herold has been suspended from tomorrow's game at Elizabeth City State by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The CIAA issued the one-game suspension for Herold's involvement in a game-ending fight last week at Norfolk State. Bowie officials asked for a review of the penalty, but CIAA commissioner Leon G. Kerry upheld the decision yesterday.

"It happened on our sideline, and I know Jason didn't start it," said Bowie head coach Sanders Shiver. "I saw the other kid punch him first. But nobody asked me about it. They [CIAA officials] have not seen any films of it."

Kerry defended his ruling. "My decision to suspend Mr. Herold was made after long review of the reports received by this office from CIAA game officials," Kerry said in a statement. "Their reports indicated that Jason Herold began the fight."

Shiver said he tried to reach Kerry several times and left messages, but did not hear back from him. "When he called back, he talked to other people on campus who weren't directly involved with what happened," Shiver said.

Herold, a senior from Northeast High in Anne Arundel County, began the year as Bowie State's punter and was pressed into service at quarterback. In six games for the Bulldogs (2-4), he has completed 36 of 89 attempts for 500 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has punted 24 times for a 35.7-yard average.

Shiver said he didn't know who would replace Herold. "We don't know yet," he said after practice Thursday. "Heck, I might play," the former Baltimore Colts linebacker joked. "I might have a year of eligibility left."